This was the warning from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to yesterday's publication of the Government’s heat and energy saving strategy to reduce carbon emissions to zero by the year 2050.

Brian Berry, director of External Affairs at the FMB said:

“The Government’s ambition for all homes to receive an energy efficient make-over by 2030 is a great aim but without better targeted financial incentives, particularly in the current economic climate, looks unlikely to succeed. 

"Options for improving the delivery of energy efficiency advice is welcome, but the idea of forcing energy companies to pay for energy efficient  improvements will mean that  fuel bills are only going to rise, thus pushing ever greater numbers of people into fuel poverty. 

"A better solution would be to introduce a series of more practical financial incentives to encourage householders to make their homes greener and more energy efficient.  These should include cutting VAT to five per cent on housing refurbishment across the UK as soon as possible; using Council Tax rebates as a delivery mechanism; and reforming Stamp Duty.”